Rhetorically Accurate Verbs: Active Voice and Powerful Academic Writing, Summaries of Literature

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R. N. S. Topping,

Rhetorically accurate verbs

RHETORICALLY ACCURATE/ACTIVE VERBS

What is a rhetorically accurate/active verb? A rhetorically accurate verb is an action word that describes the kind of action taken. Here are some examples of rhetorically accurate verbs:

1. Ayn Rand championed radical capitalism.
2. Douglas Engelbart invented the computer mouse.
3. Galileo discovered sunspots.
4. Salk cured smallpox.
5. Jimi Hendrix redefined the electric guitar.

When you write, use the active voice. Demonstrate clearly who is doing what to whom.

Use rhetorically accurate verbs INSTEAD OF: "says," "states," "writes," or a

passive verb.

Active (Power!) Verbs in English Academic Discourse Accentuates Challenges Declares Elevates Fantasizes Innundates Accepts Championed Deduces Elicits Focuses Juxtaposes Achieves Changes Defends Elucidates Forces Justifies Adds Characterizes Defines Embodies Foreshadows Lampoons Adopts Chooses Defies Empathizes Forewarns Lists Advocates Chronicles Delineates Emphasizes Fortifies Maintains Affects Claims Demonstrates Empowers Fosters Magnifies Affirms Clarifies Denigrates Encounters Functions Manages Alleges Comments Denotes Enhances Hints Manipulates Alleviates Compares Denounces Enlightens Holds Masters Allows Completes Depicts Enriches Honors Meanders Alludes Concerns Describes Enumerates Generalizes Minimizes Amplifies Concludes Details Envisions Guides Moralizes Analogizes Condemns Determines Escalates Heightens Motivates Analyzes Condescends Develops Establishes Highlights Muses Approaches Conducts Deviates Evokes Identifies Notes Argues Conforms Differentiates Evaluates Illuminates Observes Ascertains Confronts Differs Excludes Illustrates Opines Asserts Connotes Direct Exhibits Imagines Opposes Assesses Considers Disappoints Expands Impels Organizes Assails Constrains Discern Experiences Implements Outlines Assumes Constructs Discovers Explains Implies Overstates Attacks Contends Discusses Explicates Includes Paints Attempts Contests Dispels Expresses Indicates Patronizes Attests Contradicts Displays Exemplifies Infers Performs Attributes Contributes Disputes Extends Initiates Permeates Augments Conveys Disrupts Extrapolates Inspires Permits Avoids Convinces Dissuades Intends Personifies Bases Creates Distinguishes Intensifies Persuades Believes Critiques Distorts Interprets Pervades Bolsters Downplays Interrupts Ponders Bombards Dramatizes Introduces Portrays Sentences borrowed from: http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/bioprecis/bioprcis_how_do_I_write_one.html